Poland signs deal to buy 2nd batch of Abrams tanks

WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s defense minister on Wednesday signed a deal to buy a second batch of U.S Abrams main battle tanks as Warsaw beefs up its defensive capabilities and strengthens military cooperation with Washington in light of Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine .

Officials said Poland is the first U.S. ally in Europe to be receiving Abrams tanks.

Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak signed the $1.4 billion deal at a military base in Wesola, near Warsaw. The agreement foresees the delivery of 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks with related equipment and logistics starting this year.

Attending the signing ceremony were U.S. deputy chief of mission in Poland Daniel Lawton and U.S. Brig. Gen. John Lubas, deputy commander of the 101st Airborne Division, elements of which are stationed in southeastern Poland close to the border with Ukraine.

The deal follows last year’s agreement for the acquisition of 250 upgraded M1A2 Abrams tanks that will be delivered in the 2025-2026 time frame . Poland is also awaiting delivery of American High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and has already received Patriot missile batteries.

Speaking in Wesola, Polish and American officials said the deals strengthen Poland, the region and NATO’s eastern front as the war in Ukraine continues.

波兰华沙——周三，波兰国防部长签署了一项协议，购买第二批美国艾布拉姆斯主战坦克。鉴于俄罗斯在邻国乌克兰发动战争，华沙正在加强其防御能力，并加强与华盛顿的军事合作。

官员称，波兰是美国在欧洲的第一个接收艾布拉姆斯坦克的盟友。

国防部长马里乌什·布瓦什恰克在华沙附近的韦索拉军事基地签署了这项价值14亿美元的协议。协议规定，从今年开始交付116辆M1A1艾布拉姆斯主战坦克及相关设备和后勤保障。

出席签字仪式的有美国驻波兰副使节丹尼尔·劳顿和美国陆军准将约翰·卢巴斯，他是第101空降师的副指挥官，该师的部分兵力驻扎在波兰东南部靠近乌克兰边境的地区。

继去年达成采购250辆升级版M1A2艾布拉姆斯主战坦克的协议之后，波兰又签署了这项协议，这些坦克将于2025年至2026年间交付。波兰还在等待美国交付高机动性火箭炮系统，并且已经接收了爱国者导弹系统。

波兰和美国官员在韦索拉发表讲话时表示，随着乌克兰战争的持续，这些协议将加强波兰、该地区和北约东部战线。